Concussion expert says it’s time for Sydney Swans AFL star Paddy McCartin to consider retirement
After unfortunate Swans star Paddy McCartin suffered another serious concussion on Saturday night, an expert believes the former No. 1 draft choice should “seriously think about retirement.”
After an innocent moment during Sydney’s heartbreaking one-point loss to Port Adelaide at the SCG, McCartin left the football world in shock and heartbroken as he staggered and staggered his way back to the touchline, aided by trainers.
They were graphic scenes for what appeared to be a very light knock to the head, and the fact that it was his 10th concussion caused those at all levels of the game to be very concerned about his well-being.
McCartin has a long history of serious concussions, taking a long break from the game before finally leaving St Kilda – where he was drafted as an acclaimed striker – before being cleared to return to an AFL field, with the Swans who paired him with brother Tom.
And one concussion expert believes enough is enough. Dr. Alan Pearce said that given his history, McCartin needed “protection from himself” and should consider retiring.
WARNING: TERRIBLE FOOTAGE BELOW.
Paddy McCartin is being urged to put his health first and retire by a concussion expert after he was seen staggering and staggering to the sidelines in sickening scenes after appearing to hit his head lightly on Saturday night
McCartin is assisted by a member of the Swans’ medical staff after being hit on the head following an innocent moment in the side’s loss to Port Adelaide
‘While I am not aware of Paddy’s latest concussion, [given] his history of this injury, he needs his doctors to discuss with him the risks to his long-term brain health and seriously consider retirement,” said Dr Pearce Fairfax.
“It is a very difficult decision psychologically for Paddy and he would need support to cope with this, but medical retirement should be considered. Athletes need to protect themselves.’
When he was cleared to return with the Swans, who picked him up as a preseason roster, the AFL believed he was no more at risk than other players; but Dr. Pearce said that contradicted the evidence.
“The evidence clearly shows that a history of concussion carries an increased risk of further concussion. The lower the impact force required for subsequent concussion, the greater the risk of worse symptoms and the risk of longer recovery periods,” he said.
“If these sports embrace [that] ‘the health and well-being of our athletes is our top priority’, why are they allowing players to suffer brain injuries? It wouldn’t happen in other workplaces.’
McCartin revealed after eight concussions with the Saints that it was worrying for him and partner Lucy Brownless, the daughter of AFL legend Billy, as well as his close-knit family.
“It’s very concerning for me and I think for my girlfriend and my family because I’m a bit of a shell of a person that I used to be,” McCartin shared. Triple M in 2019.
“I kind of lost my footy identity, but then also my identity as a person, just because I can’t do things.”
McCartin, pictured with partner Lucy Brownless, said in 2019 that a concussion left him a “shell of the person he was.” He eventually returned to the AFL with Sydney
McCartin was visibly upset when he was taken off the field for St Kilda when he suffered another concussion. He was eventually forced into an extended hiatus
McCartin is carried off the field after suffering a serious concussion while playing for the Saints in 2016
However, Swans coach John Longmire is not making any hasty judgments and urged others to do the same when speaking to reporters.
“He’s fine, I just spoke to him,” the Swans coach told reporters.
“With all due respect, right after the game you would understand that, let’s take a deep breath.
“We’ve decided he didn’t get any testing or assessment, we just removed him from the game.”
Much to the relief of many concerned footy fans, players and pundits, Charlie Gardiner, general manager of football at Swans, told Channel 7 after the match that Paddy was ‘feeling good’ in an earlier Saturday night update.
“He’s alert and talking, he’s obviously disappointed to be out of the game and everyone is worried about him, but he’s feeling good and recovering well,” he said.
“We’ll take every precaution with him and it’s very early, but hopefully he’ll recover and go out again.”
A number of fans and prominent identities in the footy world urged McCartin to put his health first and put his stop-star AFL career on hold, which promised so much after a sparkling junior career.
Many even urged fellow fans and players not to criticize the suspensions for head contact, as McCartin’s innocent (and completely accidental) knock led to such dire consequences.
Legendary Matildas goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri agreed.
A concussion can result from any physical punch that shoots through the brain. Can even happen by falling on your butt.. looks innocent but unfortunately still harmful,” she wrote on social media.
The 26-year-old key worker has not yet discussed his traumatic injury and is not subject to the AFL’s mandatory 11-day recovery period because Longmire did not send him for a head injury assessment given how clearly he was unwell. .
However, it is expected that the Swans will sideline him until there is more clarity about his concussion.
After being selected as the first pick in the 2014 AFL draft and announced as the long-term successor to Saints legend Nick Riewoldt, McCartin has managed just 63 games.
Unfortunately for the family, brother Tom also suffered a concussion; but he will be subject to a mandatory 11-day stand-down period as he failed his head injury assessment.